Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1887-04-08
Death OF a Distinguished Citizen.

Death OF Distinguished Citizen
The death of Joseph H. Bradley, which &C
Cured at his late residence in West Wash
ington, D. c., on Sunday afternoon last
closes a career that has been long, usefu
and prominent
Mr.. Bradley was bern in Washington IL
March, 1903, and it will therefore be seen
that he had turned his eighty fourth year
He was the son of Abraham Bradley, o.
Connecticut, who was first Postmaster Gen
eral under President Washington, and re-
manned such antil the administration Of
Gen. Jackson in 1929.
Graduating at the early age of eighteen,
at Yale College, he commenced the study oil
law for three years under Mr.. Caldwell
Clerk of the Supreme Court, and Richard
s. Cox, Of Georgetown, in November, 1891,
and in April, 1924, was admitted to the Bar
in this place. He was married December
8, 1926, to Miss Lucy Sherman futile, OF
New Haven, Conn. or the five children
born to them but two are living-A. Thos.
Bradley, of Washington, and Mrs Rev. DR..
Williams, of Baltimore. Mrs. Bradley died
some years ago. Mr.. Bradley afterwards
married Miss Mary Harris, whom he had
defended nearly twenty years before on
charge of murder.
From his entrance at the Bar almost to
to the close Of his life, Mr.. Bradley devoted
himself closely to his professisn-indesd
almost from the beginning of his profess
sional career he occupied position of dis.
tinguished prominence. He was generally
acknowledged to have been one of the best
criminal lawyers in the country, and 1t is
claimed that during his long practice in NO
case of homicide in which he appeared for
the defense was the defendant found guilty
of murder.
The NEST conspicuous and at the same
time the most able and brilliant effort of his
life in this branch of the Court was his de-
Tense in behalfof John III. Surratt, VINO was
tried for the conspiracy to murder President
Lincsln. His conduct in this trial gave him
national reputation, but at the same time
cut short his career as 4 lawyer. One day
during the trial, the presiding Justice,
Judge Fisher, had been particularly caustic
in some OF his rulings against the defense,
and though Mr.. Bradley restrained himself
while Court was sitting he took occasion
after adjournmentto demonstrate with Judge
Fisher as he was leaving the bench. The
Judge resented this action and some hot
words passed between them Judge Fisher
finally said that il it was not for his ILL.,
health he would inflict personal punishment
on Bradley for his imputations OF unfair.
ness. Mr.. Bradley replied that he was ready
to settle it then and there, aud would offset
the Judges infrmity with his own advanced
age. The matter was dropped on bo:h sides
after this, and nothing more occurred until
after the first trial had resulted in aisa.
greement Of the jury, when, just before the
adjournment OF Court, Judge Fisher an
nouncea the disbarment of Mr.. Bradley
for attempting to intmidate the Court by
threats Of personal violence, an he then re-
hearsed the occurrences of the previsus days
Mr. Bradley denied that the facts were in
accordance with the judges statements, an d
high words again passed. The same day,
as Judge Fisher was entering street car,
Mr.. Bradley advanced toward him and
threw paper after him into the car. THIS
was construed into challenge, but no
blood was shed. Some time after, however,
the two men met ON the street and Mr..
Bradley made violent attack on Judge
Fisher. He made many unsuccessful efforts
before he Was finally reinstated by the Su-
preme Court about six years after his dis
barment
From professional standpoint. his fame
burned with a steady lustre, and as his rep
utatioa rose its base broadeneI upon the
substantial qualities Of honesty, fidelity and
sterling intellectual capacities. His death
was the hush OF vsice that was potent ia
all the walks oi liie-his example should bc
cherished and his character be emballnea in
the affection and respect Of the p.ope who
knew him.
But If the deceased was prominent in the
District of Columbia, where most VI his la
bors were performed, he also held an i'm.
portant and unique place in the admiration
and respect Of the people of Montgomery
county. Throughout his entire life he was
not only csnspcusus actor but factor in
any and every measure that added To the
social and material development oil til. coun
ty. Many Of the best efforts Of the carry
days oi his profession were at this Bar, aud
many of our oldest citizens remember the
part he played in the old Wing campaigns,
particularly the Clay and Harrison cam.
Paigns. His country residence, "Chevy
Chase" which he parted with only SOM
months since, under his care grew 10 be one OF
the handsomest suburban farms in this coun.
ty, and the delight aud interest he manifest.
ed 10 itat an early period of life had much 10
do with his selection as President Of the Ag
ricultursl Society VI Montgomery county, a
position To which he devoted the best ener
gies OF his mind and heart
The deep interest he ever manifested in
our county affairs had much to do with his
long official connection with the Chesa-
peake and Ohio canal The same cause,
coupled with his distinguished ability and
long and ripe experience in his profession,
had also much TO do with his nomination,
in 1872, for Chief Judge OF this Judicial
Circuit He was, however, defeated by ths
late Chief Judge Richard j. Bowie.
When a true and gool man dies those
who knew him mourn his death Mr. Bra
Icy suecee'led " life because those whs knew
him had confidence in his integrity AMI up
rightness He won Distinction because he
industriousy aud courageously studied an
labored for it. He took the highest rank
because he marched in a straight line " his
conclusions, ever exhibiting judicial fairness
and the most unquestioned csndor. He ma le
friends because he had great goodness OF
heart, because TO those whs knew him best
be was warm hearted, kindly and affection
ate He-wag the Deer of the Sblest of tho ~